Daily Democrat :  http://www.dailydemocrat.com/opinion/ci_4497439

 
Our Opinion:
The Democrat endorses Matt Rexroad for 3rd District supervisor.

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Back in the June primary, The Democrat supported former Woodland mayor Matt Rexroad in the race to replace 3rd District Supervisor Frank Sieferman Jr. During the ensuing months we've seen nothing to change our original inclination.

Not everyone agrees with Rexroad - heck, we didn't agree with his view on Conaway Ranch - but we respect his taking time to become knowledgeable on subjects and then make his decisions known. We also appreciate the fact he gives others an opportunity to speak their minds - even if it's only three minutes as he often did while serving as mayor of Woodland.

In fact, we can sum up our support for Rexroad simply by noting he leads from the front while incumbent Frank Sieferman prefers to sample the winds.

That quality is what got Sieferman elected to office. He prefers to remain quiet on issues. Then he'll make a decision.

What impresses us most about Rexroad, however, is that he follows the Davy Crockett rule of life: Be sure you're right then go ahead.

We all saw this when Rexroad successfully pushed Measure A on the Woodland ballot during the primary election to expand the city's urban limit line. He had a lot of opposition. But Rexroad was angered over the fact the City Council wouldn't take a position despite nearly two years of studies which demonstrated a need to accommodate greater growth in Woodland.

Rexroad sponsored Measure A and it passed overwhelmingly. Sieferman was silent on the issue at the time.

It's no secret we've been disappointed with the Yolo County Board of Supervisors of recent. While we were impressed with the board's decision to use eminent domain to acquire Conaway Ranch, we were disappointed in the results. Let us note at this point, Sieferman was chairman of the board during much of the Conaway acquisition effort and let others lead the way.

We've also been disappointed with other individual members of the board, who have seemingly wanted to turn this nonpartisan race into a Democrat vs. Republican issue. Several members of the board - aided by representatives from the Democratic Party - have sought to portray Rexroad's politics as too conservative to merit his election.

This is unfair as well as unfortunate. True, Rexroad is a Republican and a conservative, but he is supported by a broad spectrum of people - Republicans and Democrats - who are more impressed by his ability to take action rather than his party affiliation.

It's a time for decisive leadership in Yolo County. We will be facing big challenges in the future around land use, water and agriculture, and we need people willing to take on those challenges. We think Rexroad can handle those challenges and urge his election.